--UMass Dartmouth's School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), is pleased to announce the formation of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute Advisory Council.

New Bedford, MA (September 18, 2013) --UMass Dartmouth's School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), is pleased to announce the formation of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute Advisory Council. The creation of the advisory council affirms the institute's mission as it moves forward in addressing critical issues related to our fisheries and fishing communities.

"The Council will play a vital role in providing guidance on future priorities and initiatives of the MFI," said Steven E. Lohrenz, Dean of SMAST and Co-Chair of MFI. "We are privileged to have such a distinguished group of council members and grateful for the generous contribution of their time and commitment to this important endeavor."

MFI seeks to develop scientifically-based innovative and practical fisheries management applications contributing to the understanding, management, economic growth and sustainability of our oceans and the communities that border the ocean. The MFI Advisory Council consists of individuals with expertise that will prove essential to the institute accomplishing its goals. The members are appointed from faculty and academic leadership within the UMass system, as well as, external experts and professionals from stakeholder groups with interests in the MFI mission.

"The Commonwealth's fishing economy is centuries old and has long been a cornerstone for the global production and distribution of seafood," said Paul Diodati, Director of the DMF and fellow MFI co-chair. "A principal goal of the Institute is to stabilize and build this important marine industry."

A list of the Council members is given below. The MFI is a cooperative activity of SMAST at UMass Dartmouth and the Massachusetts DMF.